Think of ‘Theeb’ as a fistful of dinar in Jordan

The skillfully mounted “Theeb” is a spaghetti Western that comes from an unlikely place — Jordan — and features an even more unlikely hero: a young Bedouin boy who must use his wiles to survive in the unforgiving desert.

The boy’s older brother Hussein is a pilgrim guide, but the Ottomans have constructed a train to Medina that makes his profession obsolete.

Theeb (Jacir Eid, excellent) enjoys a special bond with Hussein (Hussein Salameh), who teaches his younger brother how to use weapons.

Soon, a British soldier and his Arab assistant arrive, in need of a guide to help them find a well near the violence-plagued train tracks.

Hussein agrees to help them, but the dangerous mission gets complicated when Theeb sneaks away from home and joins up with his brother.